The Barter Players to Stage WINNIE-THE-POOH, 6/24-7/19

Revisit the ageless story of friendship; "Winnie-the-Pooh" is fun for the whole family, and it is here at Barter!

The Barter Players are presenting the classic tale "Winnie-the-Pooh" starting June 24 through July 19. There will be twenty-three performances on Barter Stage II. This production was adapted from the original stories by A.A. Milne and the script is written by Kristin Sergel. This play is appropriate for all ages; toddlers, older children and adults will all find something to enjoy in this playful, imaginative show.

Join Piglet, Rabbit, Eyeore and Winnie-the-Pooh in another adventure in the Hundred Acre Woods. Winnie-the-Pooh enjoys spending his days with his friends and stuffing himself with honey until a mysterious monster, "Kanga," arrives in the forest. Piglet is taken by the monster and Winnie the Pooh must save his best friend. This play is appropriate for all ages; toddlers, older children and adults will all find something to enjoy in this playful, imaginative show.

According to the director, Nathan Whitmer, "The world of Winnie-the-Pooh brought to life by the Barter Players is playful, emotional and laugh-out-loud funny. The script, by Kristin Sergel, brings together a couple different Winnie-the-Pooh stories with some unique twists."

"Audiences will find this play all-at-once familiar and completely brand new. Translating these very simple, heartfelt stories to the stage with fourteen actors, and music, is a challenge which has yielded some pretty creative, exciting results," Whitmer explains.

Whitmer also stated that even though it is not a musical there will be acoustic instruments playing through out.

The Barter Players are a group of professional artists who perform world-class theatre for young audiences. The troupe presents high-energy and original productions that capture the imagination of today's youth while providing the best in the classic literature and beloved story adaptations.

This is the story of loyalty, close relationships, and adventure! "Winnie-the-Pooh" is sponsored by Grundy National Bank. The Barter Players' season sponsor is Alpha Natural Resources, and the season media sponsors are Blue Ridge PBS and abc 19 WKPT.

For more information on The Barter Players visit bartertheatre.com of call (276) 628-3991.

BARTER THEATRE. With its unique beginnings during the Great Depression, Barter Theatre, one of this nation's oldest professional non-profit theatres, is located in beautiful historic Abingdon, Virginia. Barter Theatre is a theatre of firsts: one of this nation's first professional regional theatres, the first professional theatre to be designated a state theatre - The State Theatre of Virginia and more. Today, Barter offers a variety of musicals, classics, comedies, dramas and new southern and Appalachian plays performed February - December yearly on two stages: Barter Theatre and Barter Stage II. Barter Theatre continues to be one of the nation's most vibrant and exciting professional theatre experiences.

Pictured: Terrance Jackson as Winnie-the-Pooh in The Barter Players' upcoming production of "Winnie-the-Pooh."